After the completion of phase II orthodontic treatment with the removal of the fixed appliance, regardless of the patient's age, a retention device is applied with the aim of stabilizing the teeth in the achieved position, allowing time for the tissues to adapt to the change and to make the occlusion more stable.
Firstly, removable retainers are provided, similar to those used for minor dental movements, with the purpose of maintaining the result obtained before the fixed retainers insertion.
These retainers are very thin metal wires that are applied to the lingual surface of the front teeth which, combined with the removable retainer, ensure long-term stability of the result.
Fixed retainers are positioned not only on the lower arch but also and especially on the upper arch, since the only removable retainer does not maintain the ideal result over time.
Numerous patients require orthodontic treatments due to relapses of treatments performed a long time ago.
Retention with fixed and removable retainers is of utmost importance, combined with the annual post-treatment check-up, for the maintenance of the ideal result over the long term.
The removable retainer, also called Essix or mistakenly bite, should be worn only at night and over time, the prescription for use can be reduced to one night a week.
Our body is subject to continuous changes throughout the course of life: authoritative research has shown that over the years the perimeter of the dental arches tends to contract progressively, especially in the lower arch, leading to a worsening of teeth alignment. For this reason, even in people who have never had orthodontic treatment, teeth tend to crowd over time. Therefore, the retention phase is as important as the active treatment phase.
